B i b l e S t u d y
Lesson: Revelation 2:1-29
SCRIPTURE READING: Revelation 2:1-17
GOLDEN TEXT: Revelation 1:20
1. The Book of Revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants, the things which must shortly take place. This book is a book of prophecy that deals with end time events and it deals with a lot of imagery and symbols in which Jesus reveals the meaning of many of these symbols. Did Jesus reveal the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars in His right hand and the seven golden lampstands? (Revelation 1:20.)
Note: Jesus revealed the answer to this mystery in that the seven stars are the seven angels of the seven churches and the seven golden lampstands are the seven churches with each church having its own angel.
These seven churches were in seven specific cities throughout the Roman province of Asia. These cities were important trade and communication centers, which were connected by major roads in New Testament times. A mail letter carrier could have left the island of Patmos, where the apostle John was exiled, and sailed by boat to the mainland, he would have first arrived at Ephesus, then traveling north he would have come to Smyrna, then Pergamum, turning southeast to Thyatira and then to Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea, which was the exact order in which the letters were dictated.
There are different theories or views as to these seven churches. 1. Each church represented an era of time that existed down through time. 2. The seven churches are a model of the entire church at any given point in time and these seven group attitudes have existed at any point in time. 3. Seven is the number of complete-ness and these seven churches are a model of the whole church at the end time.
In each letter to each church Jesus gives a commendation, a rebuke and an action that the should be taken. He gives a warning to that particular church and also a warning to all of the churches. Jesus makes the statement to each church: "I know your works..." And He also says: "To him who overcomes ... I will ..." Jesus admonishes all of the churches to "overcome" and be winners and not losers.
The Church of Ephesus (The First Church)
2. Jesus addressed the angel of which church first? (Revelation 2:1.)
Note: This church had an angel, perhaps a guardian or protective angel. The Greek word for "angel" is "aggelos" and it could be translated as "messenger." Some commentaries think that these letters were being written to the bishop of the church rather than a spiritual angel. The important point is that these letters were not just directed to the leader (angel or bishop) but rather directed to the people of the church to the things that they did or didn’t do.
Notice that the rest of the verse: "These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands" is referring to Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:20.)
3. Did Jesus say that He knew their works and that they could not bear those who are evil? (Revelation 2:2.) Did He also say that He knew that they had tested those who say they were apostles and were not, and found them to be liars? (Same verse.)
Note: The apostle Paul started the church at Ephesus and met with them. Later on, during Paul’s third missionary journey, he called for the elders of the Ephesus church to meet him and he admonished them: "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. {30} "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. {31} "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears" (Acts 20:29-31 NKJV.) Paul had given them a strong warning about what would happen in the future. When we are well grounded in God’s truth and the knowledge of the Bible it is much more difficult for us to be deceived and that lies would turn us away from God and the faith.
4. Did the church at Ephesus persevere, have patience, labor for Jesus’ name's sake and did not become weary? (Revelation 2:3.) Are we to endure to the end? (Matthew 24:13, Mark 13:13, James 5:11.) Are we to have patience? (Revelation 14:12.)
Note: After you struggle over a long period of time you get tired and feelings to give up become almost overwhelming, but they had endured and had not grown weary.
5. Did Jesus still find something against them and what was it that He found against them? (Revelation 2:4.)
Note: In Verses 2-3 we saw that they had put forth a lot of effort and were busy but from what Jesus said, they had lost their "first love." What is this "first love?" When a person accepts Christ as his saviour, he has an over whelming desire to please and obey God and to live the Christian life as Christ would live within him, to love the brethren in the church and to do good works for other people. Perhaps they had become to "busy" with "church work" that this affected their love for God, Christ and caring for their fellow man.
6. Did Jesus tell them to remember something? (Revelation 2:5.) Did He tell them to repent and do the "first works?" (Same verse.)
Note: You can’t remember what you never had. You can’t repent of something if you never did the deeds at first. It they did not repent, their lampstand would be removed. What this suggests is that a true body of believers that belong to Christ could stop believing and lose their place. The idea of a lampstand is to be a light for God, we are to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14.) God’s church is to be a light to the world and it starts within their family and extends to their town and community.
7. What did the church of Ephesus hate? (Revelation 2:6.)
Note: They hated the doctrines of the Nicolaitans. We do not know a lot about the Nicolaitans but Jesus said that He hated their deeds. We need to be on Jesus’ side and love what He loves and hate what He hates.
8. What was Jesus’ final admonition for the church of Ephesus? (Revelation 2:7.) What was their reward? (Same verse.)
Note: Do you have an ear? Do you have two ears? This is addressed to you, and to all Christians, wherever you are and whatever time period you live in. Notice the reward if you overcome: "To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life." If you overcome, the reward is eternal life and you will get to live forever. Overcoming is something we do with the help of God’s Holy Spirit. A good synonym for "overcoming" is "winning." God expects us to win and He wants to spend eternity with winners. Remember, you were: Born to Win!
The Church of Symrna (The Second Church)
9. What was the name of the second church that Jesus then addressed the angel of? (Revelation 2:8.)
Note: This second church also had an angel, perhaps a guardian or protective angel. As a reminder the Greek word for "angel" is "aggelos" and it could be translated as "messenger."
The city of Smyrna was a port on the West coast of Asia Minor at the head of the gulf into which the Hermus emerges, a well protected harbor, and the natural terminal of a great inland trade route up the Hermus valley. Smyrna was famous for science, medicine and the majesty of its architectural buildings. Apollonius of Tyana refers to her "crown of porticoes," a circle of beautiful public buildings which ringed the summit of Mount Pagos like a diadem.
Notice the rest of the Verse 8: "'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life"- this is referring to Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:17-18.)
10. Did Jesus say that He knew their works? (Revelation 2:9.) Did He also say that He knew about their tribulation and poverty?
Note: Smyrna means myrrh or bitterness. Smyrna was a wealthy town with a strong economy, but this church congregation suffered with the bitterness of physical tribulation and poverty. Jesus in this Verse said that they were "rich" meaning that they were "rich" spiritually. At times it may be difficult for a person to be a Christian because he may have to suffer from a serious economic disadvantage. This is what happened in many parts of the Roman Empire. If you were not willing to burn incense to the Emperor and confess that he was a "god", you could not function economically in some of these cities. Looking to the future, will a Christian be at an economic disadvantage when the "mark of the beast" is imposed upon the world? (Revelation 13:17.)
11. What blasphemy did Jesus know about? (Revelation 2:9.)
Note: Many people have taken this verse and have concocted a theory against the Jewish people to demonize them, which is antisemitism of the worst kind. They brand synagogues as satanic and commit crimes against them. Let’s remember what is going on here, we are reading a letter from Jesus to the angel of the church of Smyrna which was in Asia at around 90A.D., so this prophecy was against one synagogue and it was in Smyrna. This synagogue had rejected God in their hearts. The apostle Paul said "he is a Jew who is one inwardly" and that circumcision is of the heart, not of the flesh (Romans 2:29.) So he whose heart is right with God is a Jew inwardly in God’s sight. You can’t claim a special relationship with God just because your genes and chromosomes say you are Jewish. Paul is talking about the spiritual not the genetic or physical. The term "Synagogue of Satan" is a spiritual matter, they had turned their backs on God.
12. Did Jesus tell them not to fear any of the things which they were about to suffer? (Revelation 2:10.) Did Jesus tell them that Satan the devil would cause some to be thrown into prison? How many days would they suffer persecution? Were they to remain faithful until death? What was to be their reward?
Note: Jesus would reward them with "the crown of life." This was to be their hope, but in the short term, they would have to face prison, tribulation and death. Notice that Jesus told them that they should be "faithful until death", He did NOT say to "be faithful and I will keep you from dying." There is one encouraging comment that Jesus gave them and that is that the tribulation would not be endless, which goes on and on, but that they would "have tribulation ten days." We cannot take the "ten days" literally, but the tribulation would have a beginning and an end and this length of time is relatively short in one’s life time.
One lesson that we can learn from this is that we must be faithful to God and persevere (stick in there and do your best.) Jesus said: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. {34} "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:33-34 NKJV.) If we remain faithful to God and persevere and endure to the end (Matthew 24:13) then we will be saved and receive the reward of the "crown of life." This reward is eternal life and we can only receive it by dying the physical death and then being resurrected spiritually at the return of Jesus Christ (John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.)
One thing that we must realize with God is that there is no sacrifice that we would make to God that would ever be in vain or meaningless. He is aware of our pain, suffering, agony, tribulation, persecution and death and He will reward us with the "crown of eternal life" after we die.
Let’s ask a question: What is the point of my suffering? The lesson that we must learn is that through suffering we are to build character. Our trials and tests are more precious than gold and silver that can perish (1 Peter 1:7.) God is in the process of making us into something that we are not now. He is making us into His sons (Matthew 5:9, Luke 20:36, Romans 8:14, 19, Galatians 3:26, 4;6, Hebrews 12:7.)
13. Do you have an ear? Have you heard what the Spirit is saying to the churches of God? (Revelation 2:11.) As with the First Century Church of God in Symrna, so it is with us today in the end time, what is the reward if we overcome? (Same verse.)
14. What is the second death? (Revelation 20:6, 14, 21:8.)
Note: The second death is Hell, the lake of fire which burns with fire and brimstone.
Note: Jesus commended the Saints in Smyrna to suffer persecution and poverty. He did not rebuke them at all and admonished them to be faithful. If we are winners in overcoming then we will receive our reward of our "crown of life."
The Church of Pergamos (The Third Church)
"Purgamos - the chief city of Mysia, near the Caicus River in northwest Asia Minor (modern Turkey) and the site of one of the seven churches of Asia (Rev. 1:11; 2:12-17; Pergamum, NRSV, NIV, REB, NASB). The city, situated opposite the island of Lesbos, was about 24 kilometers (15 miles) from the Aegean Sea.
In its early history Pergamos became a citystate, then a powerful nation after Attalus I (241-197 B.C.) defeated the Gauls (Galatians). It stood as a symbol of Greek superiority over the barbarians. Great buildings were erected and a library containing over 200,000 items was established. The Egyptians, concerned with this library, which rivaled their own at ALEXANDRIA, refused to ship papyrus to Pergamos. As a result, a new form of writing material, Pergamena charta, or parchment, was developed.
In the days of Roman dominance throughout Asia Minor, Pergamos became the capital of the Roman province of Asia. In a gesture of friendship, Mark Antony gave Pergamos' library to Cleopatra; its volumes were moved to Alexandria.
Not only was Pergamos a government center with three imperial temples, but it was also the site of the temple of Asklepios (the GrecoRoman god of medicine and healing), and the medical center where the physician Galen worked (about A.D.160). Here also was a temple to Athena and a temple to Zeus with an altar showing Zeus defeating snake-like giants. In the Book of Revelation, John spoke of Pergamos as the place "where Satan's throne is" (Rev. 2:13). This could be a reference to the cult of EMPEROR WORSHIP, because Pergamos was a center where -- this form of loyalty was pledged to the Roman Empire."
(Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1995, p. 967-968).
"Pergamum, capital of Asia, was situated on a hill about 1000 feet high and commanded the fertile valley of the Caicus River in southern Mysia. ..... The Pergamene kings owed their power to expand to their skillful management of the country's natural wealth, which they bestowed freely as patrons of the arts and made Pergamum one of the greatest and most beautiful Greek cities. It was laid out in terraces on a hillside. A city also developed at the foot of the hill; there was located a famous health resort dedicated to the god Asclepius. Pergamum was renowned for its school of sculpture."
(Wyliffe Bible Dictionary, 1998, p. 1309.)
15. Who is the "He" who has the sharp two-edged sword? (Hebrews 4:12, John 1:1-3.)
Note: The writer of Hebrews reveals that the word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword and the apostle John reveals that the Word is Jesus Christ.
In Roman estimation the sword was the symbol of the highest order of official authority, with which the Proconsul of Asia was invested. The "right of the sword" was roughly equivalent to what we would call the power of life and death. When Jesus addressed Pergamum in this character, His intention would be caught immediately by all Asians that it is He who wields the power of life and death, which the people imagined to be vested in the Proconsul of the Province.
16. Did Jesus know their works? (Revelation 1:13.) At the time that this was written, was Satan’s throne located in Pergamos? (Same verse.) Were they to hold fast to Jesus’ name and not deny the faith? What was the name of the faithful martyr that was killed?
Note: A synonym for martyr is witness. Antipas was a true witness in his martyrdom.
17. What were the few things that Jesus had against the angel and the Church of Pergamos? (Revelation 2:14-15.)
Note: There were some in the Church of Pergamos that held the doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of Nicolaitans. The terms "Balaam" and "Nicolaitans" both mean "conqueror of the people." Balaam is the Hebrew term and Nicolaitan is the Greek term. The story of Balaam (Numbers 22-24) is about Balak who offered money to the priest Balaam to curse Israel, but Balaam said he could not curse anything except what God would allow. The money was very appealing to Balaam and he became the archetype of the preacher who sells his ministry for money and power.
18. Was the Church of Pergamos also guilty of eating things sacrificed to idols, and committing sexual immorality? (Same Verses.)
Note: It is hard to imagine that the whole Church of God in this city would be committing sexual immorality. It is probably referring to spiritual fornication and idolatry of false doctrines.
19. Did Jesus tell the angel and the Church of Pergamos to repent? (Revelation 2:16.) If they didn’t repent, were they going to be fighting against Jesus Christ? (Same verse.)
Note: The call to repentance suggests that everyone is responsible for the presence of sin and corruption in their church. Did the apostle Paul accuse someone of immorality in the Church at Corinth? (1 Corinthians 5.) Did they put him out of the church?
20. What were the rewards to him who overcomes? (Revelation 2:17.)
Note: Some say that the letter to the Church of Pergamos was prophetic in what happened to the Christian Church in 325 A.D. at the Council of Nicaea when the day of worship was changed from Saturday to Sunday. Jesus commanded this church (and that also includes us today) to repent of their spiritual fornication and idolatry of false doctrines and to get back to the true doctrines of the Bible. We are to keep all of God’s Ten Commandments including the Sabbath. Jesus said that He was the Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27-28.)
The Church of Thyatira (The Fourth Church)
"THYATIRA [thigh uh TIE ruh] - a city of the province of LYDIA in western Asia Minor (modern Turkey) situated on the road from Pergamos to Sardis. The CITY was on the southern bank of the Lycus River, a branch of the Hermus River.
Although never a large city, Thyatira was a thriving manufacturing and commercial center during New Testament times. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of many trade guilds and unions here. Membership in these trade guilds, necessary for financial and social success, often involved pagan customs and practices such as superstitious worship, union feasts using food sacrificed to pagan gods. and loose sexual morality.
The Book of Revelation refers to a certain woman known as "Jezebel" who taught and beguiled the Christians at Thyatira to conform to the paganism and sexual immorality of their surroundings (Rev. 1:11: 2:18-29). In the church in Thyatira, one of the "seven churches which are in Asia" (Rev. 1:4), Jezebel's followers seem to have been a minority because the majority of Christians in this church are commended.
The apostle Paul's first convert in Europe was "a certain woman named LYDIA . . . a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira" (Acts 16:14.) The modern name of Thyatira is Akhisa, which means "white castle." (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1995, p. 1249).
21. This greeting in Revelation 2:18 to the fourth angel was given by Jesus Christ, the Son of God and then it says: "who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass." Does this description match the description of Jesus as given in Revelation 1:12-17?
Note: The Book of Revelation is about the Day of the Lord at the "end time." These seven churches, (Thyatira is the fourth church,) are a model of the entire church at the "end time."
22. Did the Church at Thyatira have good works and were they greater than at the first? (Revelation 2:19.)
Note: This was not a church in decay but a church that was stronger than when they first started. When we reach the "end time" we can hope that God’s church will be working harder than ever, doing more and accomplishing great things.
23. Did Christ still have a few things against them even though they had done many good things? (Revelation 2:20.) Did they allow a woman to teach and seduce God’s people to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols? (Same verse.)
Note: This woman Jezebel claimed to be a prophetess who had a message from God. People want to know what God has to say and they are gullible. These people listened and allowed themselves to be seduced to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. Jezebel was probably not this woman’s real name. Jesus probably used a name from the Old Testament as a type or model, she is a type of a person at the "end time."
24. Did Jezebel repent? (Revelation 2:21.) Was Jezebel wicked? (Same verse.) Can the wicked declare God’s statutes and covenant? (Psalms 50:16-21.) Will God eventually rebuke them? (Verse 21.) What is the ultimate and last rebuke? (Revelation 20:14-15.)
Note: God is very merciful and gives everyone time to repent. Repentance is to turn from sin, to change your mind, to dedicate yourself to the keeping God’s Ten Commandments (Acts 2:38, 1 John 3:4, Acts 17:30, John 15:10), but if there is no repentance then the final punishment is to be cast into the lake of fire, which is hell.
25. Will God cast Jezebel and those who commit adultery with her into a sickbed of tribulation unless they repent? (Rev. 2:22.)
Note: There are two sides to fornication and adultery in the Bible. The physical side is when a person chases his neighbor’s wife and the spiritual side involves following and serving other gods in an attempt to worship the True God in a way that is adapted from the pagan gods of the world.
Note: The Great Tribulation is a period of time at the "end time" of terrible trouble and this will be the punishment for those who will not repent. (Matthew 24:9.)
26. Will Jesus kill the children of those who follow the teachings of Jezebel? (Revelation 2:23.) Who is it that searches the minds and hearts of these people? (Same verse.) Will Jesus give to each person "according to your works?" (Revelation 2:23.)
Note: Salvation is by grace alone but paraphrasing Jesus as to what He says here, and elsewhere: "Don’t you ever assume that it is NOT necessary for you to obey God and keep His Commandments." (Acts 5:29, 1 John 2:3-4, 3:22, 5:2-3.)
27. What is the burden that Jesus puts on those who do not have the doctrines of Jezebel? (Revelation 2:24-25.)
Note: Jesus admonished the church at Thyatira to "hold fast to what you have till I come." They of the First Century Church and those of the "end time" Church are to "hold fast" to the "truth" of God as revealed in the pages of the "Holy Scriptures" and to keep all Ten of God’s Commandments.
28. What are the rewards to him who overcomes? (Revelation 2:26-29.) Who is the "morning star"? (Revelation 22:16.)
Note: "Power over the nations" indicates that he who overcomes will live and reign with Jesus Christ for one thousand years on the earth. (Revelation 20:4, 5:10.) The "morning star" is a reference to Jesus. Jesus will be "given" as a husband to the Church who is the wife at the marriage of the Lamb. (Eph. 5:23, Revelation 19:7-9.)
Scriptures
Golden Text: (Revelation 1:20 NKJV) "The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.
Scripture Reading:
To the Church in Ephesus
(Revelation 2 NKJV) "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: {2} "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; {3} "and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. {4} "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. {5} "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place; unless you repent. {6} "But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. {7} "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."'
4.) (Matthew 24:13 KJV) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
(Mark 13:13 KJV) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
(James 5:11 KJV) Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
(Revelation 14:12 NKJV) Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Scripture Reading:
To the Church in Smyrna
(Revelation 2:) {8} "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: {9} "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. {10} "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. {11} "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'
Golden Text: (Revelation 2:11 NKJV) "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'
9.) (Revelation 1:17-18 NKJV) And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. {18} "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
10.) (Revelation 13:17 NKJV) and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
11.) (Romans 2:29 NKJV) but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
12.) (Matthew 24:13 NKJV) "But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
(John 3:16 NKJV) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
(1 Corinthians 15:51-54 NKJV) Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed; {52} in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. {53} For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. {54} So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NKJV) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. {17} Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. {18} Therefore comfort one another with these words.
(1 Peter 1:7 NKJV) that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
(Matthew 5:9 NKJV) Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
(Luke 20:36 NKJV) "nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
(Romans 8:14 NKJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
(Romans 8:19 NKJV) For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
(Galatians 3:26 NKJV) For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
(Galatians 4:6 NKJV) And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"
(Hebrews 12:7 NKJV) If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
13.) (Revelation 2:11 NKJV) "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'
14.) (Revelation 20:6 NKJV) Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
(Revelation 20:14 NKJV) Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
(Revelation 21:8 NKJV) "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Scripture Reading:
To the Church in Pergamum
(Revelation 2:){12} "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, 'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: {13} "I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. {14} "But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. {15} "Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. {16} 'Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. {17} "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."'
15.) (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(John 1:1-3 NKJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. {2} He was in the beginning with God. {3} All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
19.) (1 Corinthians 5:1-5 NKJV) It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles; that a man has his father's wife! {2} And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. {3} For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. {4} In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, {5} deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
20.)(Mark 2:27-28 NKJV) And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. {28} "Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath."
Scripture Reading:
To the Church in Thyatira
(Revelation 2:){18} "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, 'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: {19} "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. {20} "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. {21} "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. {22} "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. {23} "I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. {24} "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. {25} "But hold fast what you have till I come. {26} "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations; {27} 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'; as I also have received from My Father; {28} "and I will give him the morning star. {29} "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'
21.)
1:12-17 NKJV) Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, {13} and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. {14} His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; {15} His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; {16} He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. {17} And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.24.) (Psalms 50:16-21 NKJV) But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to declare My statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth, {17} Seeing you hate instruction And cast My words behind you? {18} When you saw a thief, you consented with him, And have been a partaker with adulterers. {19} You give your mouth to evil, And your tongue frames deceit. {20} You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother's son. {21} These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, And set them in order before your eyes.
(Revelation 20:14-15 NKJV) Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. {15} And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
(Acts 2:38 NKJV) Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(1 John 3:4 NKJV) Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.
(Acts 17:30 NKJV) "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
(John 15:10 NKJV) "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
25.) (Matthew 24:9 NKJV) "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.
26.) (Acts 5:29 NKJV) But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.
(1 John 2:3-4 NKJV) Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. {4} He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
(1 John 3:22 NKJV) And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
(1 John 5:2-3 NKJV) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. {3} For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
28.) (Revelation 20:4 NKJV) And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
(Revelation 5:10 NKJV) And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."
(Revelation 22:16 NKJV) "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."
(Revelation 19:7-9 NKJV) "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." {8} And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. {9} Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."
(Ephesians 5:23 NKJV) For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.